CF-TGE Connie Interior

Super Constellation CF-TGE
Interior Views
Cockpit and Cabin

Considering the decades that CF-TGE sat abandoned, open to vandals or "acquisitive" aircraft mechanics, or "collectors", exposed to the elements, and varmints, in farm fields, etc., the interior of the airplane has survived in remarkably good condition. "Soft "items, like cabin ceiling and sidewall liners, that in my experience with other airplanes in similar situations, are usually in a state of complete ruin, are in very good condition. Likewise, bulkheads, the galley and lavatories. The passenger seats, although not original, are aircraft seats. The insides were never gutted to make her into a freighter, or a chicken-coop.

Cockpit

The state of preservation of the cockpit is especially astonishing. Airplanes with this background and history are normally panels full of empty holes or instruments with broken glass. One of the main job of restorers is chasing down hard-to-find replacement instruments. As the airplane passed through its various owners and situations, it somehow escaped the cruel fate so many of her sisterships suffered. Much of the credit for the current condition belongs to Phillip Yull and his group of volunteers that performed the restaurant refurbishment in the summer of 1996 - see here.

Forward Panels

Aisle Stand

Overhead Panel

Flight Engineer's Panel

Crew Door and Aft Bulkhead Panel

Radio Racks

Cabin

See the curtains? Yes, before the 707 invented roll-up shades, airplanes had curtains!

Galley

Lavatories

The Connie had great lavs. Two long, big ones in the tail. With big sink and make-up areas separate from the toilets.

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